If you're dealing with a fresh heartbreak, it can be tempting to leave traces of your ex around. For one thing, it sustains us in a state of denial, and denial feels safer than reality. The day we take her clothes out of the closet, we're admitting that it's over; it's a gesture heavy with the symbolism of an ending that we believe we cannot bear.

Even better, though, is DIY Life's other reasoning. Living in a mess can leave your mind cluttered, and you can alleviate quite a bit of stress or depression—whether brought on by heartbreak or something else—by doing a bit of Spring Cleaning:

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After a breakup... Living in a mess can bring down your mood
In the Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin zeros in on the guilty "pleasure" of leaving the house messy. In truth, keeping things tidy when you're feeling down can actually boost your mood. Pick up those wrappers!

After a breakup... Cleaning can make you more social
This is a no-brainer: When are you more likely to invite friends over, when your living room is a disaster zone or when it smells spring-fresh and all the surfaces are sparkling?

Just like playing Tetris to wipe out bad memories, sometimes the best remedies aren't the first ones that come to mind. Hit the link to read more, and if you've got your own favorite remedies for feeling down, be sure to share them with us in the comments. Photo by Francesco Rachello.